Demons and Devils

[Ganthrinor]

So is it just me, or does the fact that many video games don't make much of a distinction between the two bother anyone? Maybe it's just my D&D Geek showing through, but I'v always considered them to be different entities. Devils from Hell under the command of some Uber-Devil or Arch Devil. Demons being generic extra-planar Bad Shit under no particular control or organization.

Is it an Issue? Should it be an Issue? Discuss.

 

[archvile93]

By definition, demons are the minions from hell. They're not demons if they just come from some generic dimension. If that were true, then vortigants are demons. Do you think vortigants are demons? Oh, and so are headcrabs. Then again why does it matter? So to answer your question, no, it's not an issue. I'm amazed I'm able to talk even this much about your misinformed ideas.

 

[RatRace123]

I always thought it was The Devil, and he commands an army of Demons.

 

[NeutralDrow]

So is it just me, or does the fact that many video games don't make much of a distinction between the two bother anyone? Maybe it's just my D&D Geek showing through, but I'v always considered them to be different entities. Devils from Hell under the command of some Uber-Devil or Arch Devil. Demons being generic extra-planar Bad Shit under no particular control or organization.

Is it an Issue? Should it be an Issue? Discuss.

That's specifically D&D pre-4th edition, though, and the only real use is the distinguishing between Lawful Evil and Chaotic Evil outsiders. 4th ed drops that distinction (devils are corrupted planars, demons are corrupted elementals).

Otherwise, I'm used to using them interchangeably.

 

[TheNumber1Zero]

Wouldn't these "devils" be a from of demon? If my research-lacking guess is correct, then a "Devil" is merely a demon that has a similar look to that of what people belive Satan (Say it with me: The Devil) would look like, thus calling the devils. They are merely demons, un-erathly creatures that seem to of come from the bowels of hell.

Sounds like devil is more of a rank or special name, not an entirely different species or such, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Dark Knifer]

I always thought it was The Devil, and he commands an army of Demons.

This is what I always regarded as true.

 

[Et3rnalLegend64]

By definition, demons are the minions from hell. They're not demons if they just come from some generic dimension. If that were true, then vortigants are demons. Do you think vortigants are demons? Oh, and so are headcrabs. Then again why does it matter? So to answer your question, no, it's not an issue. I'm amazed I'm able to talk even this much about your misinformed ideas.

The last part may be a tad excessive.

Yeah, I realized the same thing. I always thought it was THE Devil and his demon minions. After a while, I stopped caring. If they bother differentiating them, then fine. If they don't, I won't bother sending letters asking them to change it. It might bug me slightly, but whatever.

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

That's specifically D&D pre-4th edition, though, and the only real use is the distinguishing between Lawful Evil and Chaotic Evil outsiders. 4th ed drops that distinction (devils are corrupted planars, demons are corrupted elementals).

Otherwise, I'm used to using them interchangeably.

They reworked the Lower Planes and the Blood War in 4th Edition?! Grah! Nerd rage!!!!

This makes me glad that nobody in my 4th edition campaign actually knows anything about the lore beyond whether something looks flammable or not, and that I've never actually cracked open a 4th edition source book except to prove to my DM that I could totally survive without food or water for longer than he thought I could.

 

[NeutralDrow]

That's specifically D&D pre-4th edition, though, and the only real use is the distinguishing between Lawful Evil and Chaotic Evil outsiders. 4th ed drops that distinction (devils are corrupted planars, demons are corrupted elementals).

Otherwise, I'm used to using them interchangeably.

They reworked the Lower Planes and the Blood War in 4th Edition?! Grah! Nerd rage!!!!

It's an entirely different world, really. 3rd edition (and Pathfinder, from what I understand) used Greyhawk as a base, 4th uses the Points of Light as a default setting.

This makes me glad that nobody in my 4th edition campaign actually knows anything about the lore beyond whether something looks flammable or not, and that I've never actually cracked open a 4th edition source book except to prove to my DM that I could totally survive without food or water for longer than he thought I could.

If they make a psionic power source and let you have Elans in the game, that'd be totally reasonable.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

but doesnt the devil rule the demons?

 

[zen5887]

That's specifically D&D pre-4th edition, though, and the only real use is the distinguishing between Lawful Evil and Chaotic Evil outsiders. 4th ed drops that distinction (devils are corrupted planars, demons are corrupted elementals).

Otherwise, I'm used to using them interchangeably.

They reworked the Lower Planes and the Blood War in 4th Edition?! Grah! Nerd rage!!!!

I shall join this nerd rage!

Graaahhhh!!

I pretty much see Demons as CE and Devils as LE no matter what the context.